I keep lots of my magazines, do you? Well, I just loved Mary Englebreit's Home Companion and just miss it so much. See how long I've had this one ~ 2002 ~ I do have older ones too. Well, I loved this article and...

I fell in love with this page and I thought ~ I'm half way there to the copycat party! I have an olden sideboard with a mirror hung over it and plates hanging on the wall around it! My copycat inspiration!

Here's my copycat version. My mirror is horizontal while my inspie mirror is verticle. The mirror in the inspie is so gorgeous and mine is rather plain and olden. But I like my hanging plates much better! Try as I may, I couldn't get my chandy out of my snap!

Okay, I got a snap without the chandy, but you can't see the plates. You know they're there though! ;) I didn't have chunky candles like my inspie so I used what I had and added a couple of little round ones in sherbet glasses.

I just had to show you this snap. As I said, my mirror is very olden and the mirroring is going away in spots. Somehow I managed to place my candles just at the right spot and the going away mirroring looks like frost on a window! I'm more creative than I even thought! :) You know I'm teasing!

Here's a snap with the lights turned down low. There are my candle flames looking like stars! I love that!

I placed a bottle of wine in my ice bucket, didn't have a pail like my inspie did. Poked down a Christmasy looking napkin ~ prettier than my inspie! ;)

This is my take on the pots with greens ~ my candles with Christmas candle rings. That'll work won't it? I poked down some of my jeweled and faux fruit too.

I have to tell you a little story and you know how I love to tell you little stories, although it's a little bit embarrassing! If you look at the inspie on the left hand bottom side between the pot with the greens and the white candle, there's a tiny little reindeer. I saw a reindeer head complete with antlers. I did! I really did! I ran all over the house but alas, I had no tiny reindeer. But I had a donkey which I borrowed from a Nativity! :) I'm so talented like that! I was so pleased with myself. THEN...after I took the photo of my inspie page, I zoomed in and THERE IS NO REINDEER! It's just fruit and leaves! My most gorgeous baby blues are really failing me. Well, said donkey is staying! Hope this won't be held against me! :)

I ran right outside and chopped a few springs off my bush for my base greens and placed them all around.

There is a candle in every soulSome brightly burning, some dark and coldThere is a Spirit who brings a fireIgnites a candle and makes His home

So carry your candle, run to the darknessSeek out the helpless, confused and tornHold out your candle for all to see itTake your candle, and go light your worldTake your candle, and go light your world

Frustrated brother, see how he's tried toLight his own candle some other waySee now your sister, she's been robbed and lied toStill holds a candle without a flame

So Carry your candle, run to the darknessSeek out the lonely, the tired and wornHold out your candle for all to see itTake your candle, and go light your worldTake your candle, and go light your world

Cause We are a family whose hearts are blazingSo let's raise our candles and light up the skyPraying to our Father, in the name of JesusMake us a beacon in darkest times

So Carry your candle, run to the darknessSeek out the helpless, deceived and poorHold out your candle for all to see itTake your candle, and go light your world

Carry your candle, run to the darknessSeek out the helpless, confused and tornHold out your candle for all to see itTake your candle, and go light your worldTake your candle, and go light your worldTake your candle, and go light your world

You bet I enjoyed it Miss Sheila! I enjoyed your little story too. You did a fabulous job of copy catting. I can't believe you had that magazine still after all this time. Thank you so much for sharing, your copy cat is just beautiful~!

Sheila, Your copy is so wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy better .. I love it. I want some of the greenery you used- its beautiful. That little donkey is absolutely adorable.. I am in AWE of the beauty you have created with those tiny dainty fingies my friend.. LOVE IT- truly I do ~!!!

Oh Sweetie, I think you are the best copy cats out there. Your room looks divine. You know I lived in St.Louis for 40 years and Ms. Mary Englebright was a friend and customer of mine. Her first book on Christmas featured several pictures from my townhouse there in the city. If you have it, or can find it, it would be fun if you looked it up. Maybe I will do a post about it soon. Anyhow drop by first chance you get and see Sissy Dog's trip to see Santa.Richard from My Old Historic House.

You did a beautiful job, Sheila! Love those white lacy candleholders, they look so pretty. And, of course, the plates look lovely. Red... my favorite color!Best,GloriaP.S. I also love the pretty pattern on that napkin!

Your beautiful version is so much better with that sweet donkey :))) I looove this, just looked at that magazine the other day. I have saved every issue and still pull them out each season. And thank you for the beautiful poem, how true, how true. You definitely bring a light to all of us with the sweet comments you leave and your positive messages!! Happy, happy holidays, xoxo, Andrea

This is just beautiful, Shelia! I was just admiring your plates last week. All of the candles grouped together are so pretty! Love the greenery you found on your bushes, too...makes it so festive!! Great job!

Shelia,Oh, dear kindred spirit...I, too, have a huge collection of Home Companion Magazines! They are the first ones I go to for inspiration!!!Your Copy Cat plated mirror is stunning! I adore the donkey...much more meaningful than the deer at this Christmas Season! Thank you for sharing your lovely Christmas decor with us!Fondly,Pat

Hi Sheila, Your version is a beauty. I love your olden mirror just the way it is, and yes your plates are prettier. Awesome that you have such an old magazine. I have an old Coastal Living magazine from 2000. I just could never throw that one away either. On the cover it had a view that was an inspiration photo for finding my beach house!Your copy cat challenge was a delight to read!

Hi Shelia, What a beautiful setting with the candles, mirrors and all your other decorations on the sideboard. I love the little donkey, he makes everything all the more delightful! Thank you for sharing!Hugz,Kim

I love Mary Engelbreit, but I must say, I think yours is nicer!!! I love the donkey there, um...I can't see what you thought was a reindeer, but that's okay.:) You are so hilariously sweet! Love and hugs, Cindy

Oh Shelia What a beautiful copy cat it is... yours is looking absolutely perfect and so beautiful...I like your pots more than the magazine one and you have a feeling of fresh look at your decor... very lovely indeedHappy if you come to see me athttp://craftaworld.blogspot.com/with love fromFarah

Shelia, you did a fantastic duplication of the picture. It looks very elegant. I like the addition of the cute donkey and I'm sure Mary and Joseph didn't mind you borrowing him for such a good use. Have a great week!! ---Shannon